Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-02
FOR THE LADIES.
TIE LATEST FREAKS OF FASHION IN
NBW YORK.
A fuggestion-The Polanaise-Milline-
ry- Feathers ard Birds-Dis-
tiDctive Mourning Gar
ments-Eotes.
Correspondents OF Tho RichmOnd Dispatch

Correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispaich.l
New YORK, October /, 1857.
Provided they be standard goods
fabrics which can be depended upon to
lie more or less in fashion next season.
one is wise in purchasing some Of the
jus last seasons wash-iabrics and other
light materials because they are
naturally selling at very low figures
and form excellent investments for next
year. By little proyident "shifts
such as this many ladies manage TO
reduce materially their annual expen-
diture for dress. Consequently the
lrugal-minded should profit 10y the
above hint
The polonaise will he exceedingly
popular this season, young ladies' being
especially partial TO that form Of dress.
Polonaisos should be made SO as to
fully reveal the underskirt at tue sides,
and even at the front the latter should
be as elaborate as it can be made
Cle handsome costume Of this kind,
in plaided wOollen material. fell in
round-pointed apron in front, the back
drapery 0bat being, OF course, part Of
the poionaise itself beng full long.
and turned under at the end. The
waist portion was very simply trimmed
in front, with folded bands of silk Ibid
from the respective shoulders across
the body to tie waist, where a large
knot Of ribbon was placed Behind
they were carried over the shoulders
and brought in to the waist, with a
knot Of ribbon falling over one hip.
The skirt was of heavier woollen
goods, smooth, and with strips of rib
bon laid vertically upon it, at intervals
all the way round. These ribbon bands
were themselves Topped every few
inches. Ribbon bows were also placed
upon the shoulders.
The costume, upon the whole, made
very neat and pretty promenade
dress.
Millinery presents the one promi-
nent feature Of feathers. Ostrich
plumes, cocks feathers, and all kinds
Of smaller feathers are seen, but there
is a noticeable absence OF whole birds.
Whether this abstinence from dead
birds is at ali due to the influence Of
the Audubon Society deponent saith
not.
The larger-brimmed shapes. up 10
this so popular, are not much worn.
They are exceedingly picturesque and
the straw forms could readily be repro
ducod in felt but they are not popular,
and, consequently, smaller, close-htting
shapes are seen.
Capotes have become small and in
significant affairs in themselves, al
though they are trimmed eXtayagantly
ana profusely. They impart about the
same idea rs an old-fashioned evening
Load-dress. These are, of course, not !
very suitable for young ladies unless
they be married.
Hat shapes have broad brims, velvet |
covered, which turn up in front and on |
the sides They are very iaunty, aud |
look well trimmed with black lace if the
velvet used is OF dark shade Plumes
and ribbon may be added. More plain
ribbon is being used this season than
last. although the pic0tand other fancy
varieties are by no means discarded.
Hat pins and combs for evening
bCad-dress are seen III the most rlabo-
rate and fanciful designs. Some of
them are very beautiful.
Lmgcric is not quite so dressy as it
has been during the heated term, but
this is natural, as the style OF dress does
not admit of so extensive Il display Of
gUctS, plastrons, chemisettes,
OF lacc-and-ribbon vests
For indoor wear, however, these are
occasionally seen.
Elaborate ruchings are not requisite,
rs the style of nock-wesr authorizes the
simple white-lnen collar, appearing
above the military neck-b1ud OF the
basque.
Distinctive mourning garments now
include the most minute details of the
.oilct. For instance, new department
If these goods has been opened devoted
Exclusively to mourning hosiery. OF
curse with mourning costume black
stockings have been heretofore deemed |
essential, and most ladies have worn
hem as q matter Of course. but the in
given by Dame Fashion now
IRE that, with the wearing Of "half-
mourning" lavender and white Striped
" checked, lavender and black, plain
avender. or black and white are to be
Toin. This is an institution of fashion,
out every lady must Judge for herself
IS TO its taStefuluess.
For ordinary wear black hose are
till in the ascendant, and, with the
Of silk evening stockings,
nearly all the hosiery shown Is in solid
,olors. These ballroom stockings,
however, are woven in thousand
'urious, unique, and yariegated designs.
enc Of them being excessively ugly
For instance, VI black stocking a
waving or serrated yellow or red line
sill be woven all the way NJ, starting
Il the toe and crossing the instep. Or
ne half of the stocking will be of one
'olor and the other half another. There
s a last absurdity in this portion Of the
oilet imported from Paris and worthy
# its origin. This is, to cIothe one leg
With stocking Of one color and the
ther in a totally dissimilar hue.